This summer my work coordinated a fitness challenge for us employees...we were encouraged to "step it up" and received pedometers...we were put in groups of 5 and each month the group with the most steps won a prize...My team, Flab-U-Less, were steppin' out...but didn't win in any month...but that's ok...we all became more fit! And it was a fitness challenge...we're still waiting the results for the winner of the most weight lost for the 3 months...

I have been working on losing weight since the beginning of the year...well, seriously since the first of the year...I've been trying to lose weight for the last 6 years...but haven't been so serious about it...I am "stepping out" now by showing some of my before pics...and showing you my progress...I went to the doctor for my follow up last Friday and have only 8 more pounds until my goal...see now why I am frustrated with Halloween? I knew I was gaining weight, because I had to get bigger clothes and such...but I didn't realize how much weight I had gained until looking at some pics awhile back...I am excited and truly think that this time it is a "life change". I know what portions are appropriate for me...I now know what being hungry feels like, before I don't think I ever let myself get to that point...I now know when I am full and, get this, I stop eating when I get there...Foods that I used to crave no longer even sound good most of the time...now don't get me wrong...I still love me some chocolate...

The decision/commitment definitely had to happen for this to be successful for me...In case you are wondering how I am doing it...I went to my regular doctor and talked to her about my issues...yes, I do have some issues...we set a goal, she prescribed an appetite suppressant (which I am rarely taking now), and I have monthly follow ups with her...I didn't start my doctor visits until April, but since my highest weight ever last October, I have lost 43 lbs! 35 of which has been since April...

Summer 2006:





Summer 2007:


November 2007:


April 2008:




August 2008:


September 2008:


October 2008:



OK...so I also noticed that I change my hair color a lot...think I'm liking the blondish...thoughts?